The principal in this specific firm was in the news industry for years and serves up the daily blast to those still pumping out the news. We “feed the beast,” so to speak.

I don’t think folks realize how difficult it can be sometimes, but no one understands a type of business until or unless they work in it. Fortunately, I’ve had fantastic opportunities in my life to experience and enjoy different industries. I like that I’ve been able to take specific knowledge from one to the other and apply it in some manner.

But, it doesn’t hurt to have an assist every now and again.

The PR email suggests specific stories that could be localized to see if what is happening somewhere else is happening here. Sometimes it’s applicable, sometimes not. Sometimes I’ll use something in an email to create a weekly column topic.

One that comes to mind is the column published on May 4, 2016. My frequent readers should remember the subject well: World Naked Gardening Day.

Tuesday’s email informed me that it was National Hot Fudge Sundae Day yesterday. Delicious. Who could argue with that? Monday was National Tequila Day, but I don’t get along with that type of fire water.

It was also a day for something near and dear to my heart. No, it didn’t have anything to do with food, drinking or taking clothes off – either separately or at the same time. The latter could get messy, though.

Tuesday was also National Hire a Veteran Day.

Hire our Heroes, a nonprofit organization created by veterans to help veterans, says on their website that there are more than 1 million vets in the country who are unemployed. The organization works to help military members transition from service to the civilian world.

Some might think that it’s a relatively easy process, but it’s not.

Some might think that military members look forward to the day when they can let their hair grow long, not worry about the appearance of their uniform, make sure they ribbons and medals are placed in the right order and the right place on their shirt, or not worry about whether or not they should have on their cover, or hat for you civilians.

I’ve been out of the service for 19 years, but I’ve missed it for the past 6,991 days – that would be 998 weeks and five days.

Hiring a veteran doesn’t necessarily guarantee an employer that they are getting a top-notch employee. The military is a microcosm of society. It’s not perfect by any means, nor are the people. After all, they’re all human, too.

But, when employers hire veterans, they are hiring people who completed rigorous training, have received some sort of skill that could be applied to the workplace, have worked in some of the harshest environments and conditions, and, above all, have a desire to serve others.

I’m always going to favor hiring the best candidate for the position, but I’m also one that gives a little more credence to those who served. Right or wrong, that’s just the way this old boy is geared. Maybe it’s because I can relate to them more.